Digital Health Immunization Repository Consumer Access Specification – FHIR
To enable the vision of a provincial immunization system where individuals, health care providers, and public health all have real-time access to the same immunization information, Ontario is taking a coordinated approach to facilitate easier collection of, and access to, complete, accurate, and timely immunization records. The goal is to improve health outcomes by making comprehensive immunization information accessible in real time to support health care providers in clinical practice and to engage the public as active partners in managing their health. Key to this approach is the provincial digital health immunization repository (DHIR) – a centralized repository of standardized electronic immunization data which forms the foundation of a broader interoperable ecosystem for immunization data in Ontario.
The DHIR primarily supports data sharing for public health purposes; Ontario’s 36 public health units access the repository through Panorama. However, the public is also able to access and update their immunization records through a web-based tool called Immunization Connect Ontario/Digital Yellow Card (ICON/DYC).
Scope
DHIR Consumer Access FHIR – also known as DHIR Release 4 – built on the FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources ®) standard R4 base specification was designed for consumer application use. DHIR Consumer Access FHIR specifies profiles for the following FHIR resources:
- Patient
- Immunization
- ImmunizationRecommendation
- RelatedPerson
- Practitioner
- Organization
- Communication
This specification ensures all information technology systems that retrieve immunization data from, and contribute immunization data to, the DHIR can exchange and understand the content through standardized HL7 messages based on FHIR specification and terminologies.
Status
FHIR is an evolving trial-for-use standard, so additional changes by HL7 are expected. We will continue to monitor developments and assess whether or not there are impacts, and publish updates as they emerge.
Status
February 19, 2020
Update provided to Ontario EHR Architecture & Standards Business & Technical Committee
June 19, 2019
Update provided to Ontario EHR Architecture & Standards Business & Technical Committee
April 19, 2017
Approved by Ontario EHR Architecture at the Standards Business & Technical Committee
September 15, 2016
Approved by Ontario EHR Architecture at the Standards Strategic Committee